Steve Kerr said Steph Curry did not put his foot down to ensure the Warriors brought Kerr back: “It usually does not work out well when a player wants to dictate what an organization does. Steph has always recognized the sanctity of that wall.”
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the media during a press conference after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
The Golden State Warriors are getting at least a few more years out of head coach Steve Kerr, as the four-time champion with the team signed a new deal to stay with the Bay Area franchise and NBA superstar Stephen Curry.
Most recently, Kerr discussed Curry’s involvement in the coach returning to the Warriors, praising the guard by saying he didn’t pressure the team into making a decision, unlike what other superstars have done in the past.
With that, one name that comes to mind who has reportedly played a part in his team’s decision-making is LeBron James, who just finished his eighth season with the Los Angeles Lakers. A lot has been made about James’ tenure with the Lakers and his thoughts on their moves. So, did Kerr take a subtle shot at the 41-year-old while praising Curry at the same time?
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: Head coach Steve Kerr of the United States talks with LeBron James #6 as he waits to check into the second half of an exhibition game against Canada ahead of the Paris Olympic Games at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States defeated Canada 86-72. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
When recently speaking to the media about his decision to return on a new deal to coach the Warriors, Kerr said Curry did not pressure the team into making a decision one way or another about whether to bring him back or not.
“(Curry and Draymond Green) did not have any impact on whether I was going to be the coach,” Kerr said. “That’s a credit to them…(Curry) is not telling Mike or Joe what to do. He understands the repercussions of that, if he wanted to go down that path.”
Steve Kerr said Steph Curry did not put his foot down to ensure the Warriors brought Kerr back: “It usually does not work out well when a player wants to dictate what an organization does. Steph has always recognized the sanctity of that wall.”
Kerr added that he had lengthy discussions with Curry and Green about his future coaching the Warriors, but maintained that the franchise star didn’t overstep his influence within the organization.
“It usually does not work out well when a player wants to dictate what an organization does,” Kerr said. “Steph has always recognized the sanctity of that wall.”
With that, while he might not have a reason for doing so, did Kerr just take a shot at James? The 41-year-old has been linked to the Warriors in recent free agency rumors, but that doesn’t overshadow the ‘LeGM‘ claims that have been prevalent through much of James’ career.
Whether it be teams trading their picks once he arrives for veteran players, reportedly asking the Lakers to draft his son, or any of the other rumors about James’ decision-making and influence on the teams he’s been on, it’s clear that the league’s all-time leading scorer does have a say in what his teams do.
Opposingly, at least according to Kerr, that’s not the case with Curry, as he let the Warriors decide on what they wanted to do in terms of bringing back the head coach.
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors talk to each other after the Lakers beat the Warriors in double overtime at Chase Center on January 27, 2024 in San Francisco, California.
The Warriors have been one of a few teams linked to James as a free agency landing spot for the past few months, and with the Lakers now in the offseason, those rumors have persisted.
There’s been no concrete reporting about James’ interest in joining Golden State, but neither the player nor anyone else from his camp has directly shut down the Warriors of him teaming up with Curry in the final stage of his career.
Most recently, when writing about James’ uncertain future, Brian Windhorst of ESPN said the Warriors are a realistic spot for him in his final chapter if he is willing to take a smaller contract.
“Yet it is highly unlikely any outside team would be willing to offer James (a max level) contract,” he wrote. “Signing him wouldn’t make sense for the teams with big cap space such as the Bulls or Nets. James also would probably have a very short list of preferred destinations — such as, hypothetically, the Golden State Warriors — that aren’t in position to have significant cap space this summer.”
James has been linked to the Warriors for some time now, but it remains to be seen if ‘LeGM’ is taking his talents to the Bay Area.
If he does, Kerr might have to answer for his potential shot at James while praising Kerr. Even more so, if James were to join Golden State, it would create a unique dynamic with both a player who has seemingly gotten what he’s wanted his entire career playing next to someone who lets the organization decide for themselves.
A bit harsh? Potentially. However, the ‘LeGM’ claims are nothing new, and based on some recent reports, James could be getting fed up with what the Lakers are doing, and not prioritizing his timeline and future, which could lead him to walk and join a team like the Warriors this offseason.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski
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